overnight, the lashing winds and blowing snow stretched from nebraska to michigan. major highways across the midwest, shut down. as drivers struggled to stay on them. believe it or not, this is i-80. look at the long line of cars. just a complete parking lot. we've been here for at least 30 minutes. and we don't know how long we're going to be here. how long have you been sitting here? >> about an hour. >> you knew it was going to be -- >> i knew it was risky. but i have surgery tomorrow morning. i don't really have a choice. >> reporter: the crash that set us back was 1 of at least 1,000 in this behemoth. there was that wreck north of des moines, at least 25 vehicles there. so many accidents in iowa, the national guard was called in to help. >> the u.s. army came. put us in this really fancy truck. we got blankets and snacks. >> reporter: in madison, wisconsin, up to 20 inches of snow fell around that city. a record. and the university of wisconsin canceled some final exams. from the snowy side, to the tornado side. in mobile, alabama, an ef-1 twister left trees in